Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been ruled out of this month's internationals with Senegal because he needs to make a trip to the dentist.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Sunday that the 29-year-old will not be travelling for his side's two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because of a tooth issue that requires surgery.
Mendy did not feature in Sunday's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Sheffield United with Kepa Arrizabalaga starting in between the posts.
And now Mendy has been ruled out of Senegal duty this month for their matches against the Congo and Eswatini.
Senegal have already booked their place in next year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.
'Mendy will stay because he has an operation on his tooth,' the German told his post-match press conference when asked on the goalkeeper's prospects.
'He needs to see the dentist because it needs to be done. It's why we do it now [so he is fit again after the international break].'
Tuchel will be desperately hoping his No 1 stopper's tooth issue is sorted by the time Chelsea return to action against West Brom on April 3.
Mendy has so far kept 11 clean sheets under Tuchel, who extended his unbeaten run as Blues boss to 14 matches against Sheffield United.
Signed from Rennes last summer, Mendy's absence was not particularly felt on Sunday given Kepa has played in every FA Cup tie so far this season.
Chelsea were drawn to play Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals next month and it remains to be seen who will get the nod in goal for the Wembley clash.